Blue Bird Recalling School Buses For Steering Issue

Blue Bird is recalling more than 2,500 All American school buses and some transit buses to fix a problem that could make steering more difficult.

The company also is recalling a smaller number of school buses that may be prone to a propane fuel leak, according to paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The school bus maker said it has received no injury or accident reports tied to any of these recalls.

Blue Bird Corp. said the steering problem can develop on some buses made between 2011 and last May if a steering shaft clamp comes into contact with a rubber close-out boot on the floor. It also is recalling more than 400 transit buses to fix the same problem.

The company has been monitoring the issue since last September, when it received its first report of the clamp contacting the boot. The company decided to conduct the recall last month after determining that the increased steering effort required in this situation could lead to an accident.

Blue Bird representatives did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment on Friday.

The company also is recalling 388 Vision school buses made in 2012 or 2013 to address the possible fuel leak, which could lead to a fire. It said in a report to the NHTSA that this can happen in "severe environments" when an aluminum fuel line fitting corrodes where it meets a brass supply valve housing on the fuel take.

The propane fuel systems are made by Roush Clean Tech LLC, and the aluminum fuel line fitting will be replaced by a stainless steel version.